You probably don’t even realize how much noise surrounds you on a daily basis and what it can do to your life. From hearing the static at work to family members gabbing at home, finding moments of silence is pretty hard to come by nowadays.
With all those distractions, you’re missing out on valuable lessons and realizations. Take a look at the following six ways that give a deeper meaning to the phrase “silence is golden.”
1. Lets You Experience Satisfaction
Take a few minutes to sit in silence each day and you’ll soon realize you can do without things you’ve become dependent on, like your television, and still be happy. Use a quiet spot, away from the hustle and bustle of your family. Focus on being there, on your own, in complete silence. Think about what you’re missing afterward, and why you don’t actually need it, to feel truly satisfied.
You also feel more appreciation for others when left to your own thoughts. Use this feeling to listen to loved ones better than you did before, and truly experience being there with them instead of being distracted by other things.
2. Improves Expression
A lot of times, we talk but don’t really say too much. By experiencing silence, you’ll learn to say more with fewer words. Try writing down what you want to say instead of vocalizing it right away. Notice how much less you say while still being able to get the same meaning across.
3. Increases Attention
We’re living in a world of multitasking. You might talk to a friend while checking your social media pages and answering emails all at the same time. But being in total silence, without those instruments of distraction like your cellphone or laptop, can help you learn to focus on one thing at a time instead of always dividing your attention.
Try putting your phone or tablet away when you’re having a conversation with someone else. You survived without those things when you sat in silence, so put that experience to good use in your daily life too. You just may find yourself becoming a better listener, you’ll learn notice new things about those around you.
4. Helps Calm Your Thoughts
Your thoughts may be “loud,” as in racing and overwhelming, at times. Frantic thinking plagues all of us occasionally, and it’s worse in times of stress.
Pay attention to your thoughts and your thinking patterns when you’re practicing silence. Note what’s negative, positive, beneficial or hindering, and work toward shaping your thoughts more positively and productively. By channeling your thoughts into a positive direction, you’ll feel better and get more things accomplished.
5. Fosters Appreciation
You don’t have to stay by yourself in silence. Try some people watching in a quiet spot, like a park that’s not busy. Use your observations to improve your appreciation for humanity and even the things around you. When you’re not distracted by noise, you’ll be able to take everything that’s around you in without missing the little things that make the experience unique.
6. Pumps Perseverance
Sitting in silence can be difficult, especially if you’re a person who is always on the go and surrounded by chatter. Ease yourself into it if you have to, and try doing it for a little while longer each time you practice. Just the act of ignoring your phone and taking the time to relax and regroup without noise tests your perseverance, and you’ll improve it every time you’re successful. Work toward longer or more frequent silence sessions to reap the full benefits of the practice.
